Traffic Regulation Order Rectification: TRO 1 (Red Route East)

TRO 1 – East Reading Red Route (Statutory Consultation)

At Council on 15 October 2024, a summary of issues relating to certain Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) was reported (report available here) and a rectification process agreed (report available here).

The agreed rectification process involves consulting on a new, permanent TRO to address the issues identified.

The restrictions proposed in this consultation relate to the East Reading Red Route.

Red Route restrictions would provide clear messaging to motorists regarding where they can, and cannot, stop. Where stopping is not permitted, the restrictions would enable enforcement against those stopping on any adjacent area of adopted Highway, including the carriageway, footway and verge. It is important to ensure that appropriate parking, loading and unloading can take place along the route and these waiting/loading areas are clearly signed. At these locations, the bay-marked and clearly signed restrictions would help to ‘contain’ these vehicles by enabling enforcement against those stopping beyond, or outside of these bays, such as parking partly on the footway.

The resultant benefits of the restrictions are expected to be improved traffic flow and reduced safety risks on the Highway, through the enforcement ability that the restrictions bring against ad-hoc stopping movements and potentially obstructive stopping/parking on the Highway. They are expected to have overall benefits to traffic flow, including public transport services and particularly to more vulnerable Highway users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Having considered the duty imposed by Section 122(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and having regard to the matters specified in Section 122(2) of Act, Reading Borough considers it necessary and expedient to make this order:

• For avoiding danger to persons or other traffic using the road or any other road or for preventing the likelihood of any such danger arising; and
• For preventing the use of the road by vehicular traffic of a kind which, or its use by vehicular traffic in a manner which, is unsuitable having regard to the existing character of the road or adjoining property.

As previously stated in press releases, any existing signs related to the restrictions proposed in this consultation are not currently being enforced. The outcome of this consultation will be the sole determining factor in deciding whether these signs are retained or removed. The presence of current signage does not imply any predetermined outcome and all responses will be considered impartially to ensure a fair and unbiased decision making process.

In accordance with the current Freedom of Information legislation, the Council may publish and/or disclose the entire content of any correspondence (including letter, forms or emails) sent in response to this Notice and such responses may be subject to public scrutiny.